Definition of reconnaissance
: a preliminary survey to gain information; especially : an exploratory military survey of enemy territory
From the M-W Editors
Examples of reconnaissance in a Sentence
There are two helicopters available for reconnaissance.
They did a reconnaissance of the enemy's position.
Origin and Etymology of reconnaissance
French, literally, recognition, from Middle French reconoissance, from Old French reconoistre to recognize
First Known Use: 1779
RECONNAISSANCE Defined for English Language Learners
reconnaissance
playDefinition of reconnaissance for English Language Learners
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: military activity in which soldiers, airplanes, etc., are sent to find out information about an enemy
RECONNAISSANCE Defined for Kids
reconnaissance
playDefinition of reconnaissance for Students
: a survey (as of enemy territory) to get information
Learn More about reconnaissance
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Spanish Central: Translation of reconnaissance Nglish: Translation of reconnaissance for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of reconnaissance for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reconnaissance
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